BP Chats

What are your thoughts on Rymer Liriano especially now that the Padres outfield is packed?(Grizzly from Chicago)

Padres are in compile asset mode, which is what any smart front-office does in their first few years. But, I wouldn't be surprised to see him moved in this calendar year. He has right handed power and speed, which is a borderline impossible combination to find. (Jordan Gorosh)

Santana has more upside in his bat but that brief stint was frightening, wasn’t it? Considering there are major questions as to whether or not either will ever hit, I’d go with Liriano because at least the athleticism has a chance to stick and help out in some way. (Jeff Moore)

Liriano, Cron, Lamb, Walker. I'll add that Liriano has the most beta in him and could absolutely flame out, but the blend of tools provides the highest ceiling as well. He's someone I'm willing to gamble on given his proven ability to respond to failure. That's something I like to see in a prospect. (Craig Goldstein)

What happens to Rymer Liriano now that the Padres have acquired an entirely new trio of MLB outfielders?(Kingpin from Grinnell, IA)

Several Liriano questions bouncing around in the queue -- I think it's a fine situation for Liriano, as he now gets needed Tripe-A reps. Upton is only under contract for a year, so this isn't a long term block. He should be in a position to compete with Renfroe for major league time in2016, and both of those talents could make for a useful trade chip if Preller & Co. are so inclined. (NL West Top 10s With Nick Faleris)

Is Rymer Liriano fully back from his injury? What's his potential in a dynasty league? You like him or Nick Williams better?(Andy from NY)

He is indeed. I think he gets underrated in fantasy circles as a nice power/speed option, with batting average issues. He's not on Williams level for me in terms of ultimate product, though he's likely to contribute far sooner. (Craig Goldstein)

What is your feel for Rymer Liriano today? I just picked him up in one of my shallow dynasty leagues and dropped Gabby Guerrero. He had a pretty strong AA season and just got promoted to AAA yesterday. Padres are so bare, seems like he could be impactful for Friars? His risk is high, but signs seem to point to Power and speed with some batting average missing? I dropped Gabby as he is so far away and carries more risk(bigwhitesled from Seattle)

There's short term risk with the hit tool I think he's talented enough to make the adjustments long term to be an impact guy eventually but he has to hit first. I think he's a worthy pick up, but it seems like you understand the risk he carries. (Mauricio Rubio)

Was Rymer Liriano in the mix for top 50? Are you a believer in his power/speed combination? (Drew from Rochester)

I don't think so. Too many questions about the hit tool. I'm a believer in the power and the speed ... just worried the holes in his swing will limit how much he can access that power. Definitely has 20/20 potential at the big-league level if everything goes perfectly, though. Too many people forgot about him after he was out due to surgery last year. (J.P. Breen)

Rymer Liriano seems to be doing good things again, are the reports as positive as the stats? What are the chances he reaches the bigs this year?(Kingpin from Grinnell, IA)

I love Liriano and I'm glad to see him doing well. There's not a ton blocking him in the OF and I'd be the Padres are sellers, so he could see the majors but I don't think he makes a fantasy impact until 2015. (Ben Carsley)

What are the chances Rymer Liriano gets called up to the bigs this year with the Friars offense struggly so badly?(Kingpin from Grinnell, IA)

Unfortunately, the TJ zapped a year from his development, but he'll ultimately be okay. I'd expect him some time after the super two deadline, because he could be one of the best hitters on the team immediately. An adjustment period is likely, but he's got the chance to be an above average MLB regular. (Jordan Gorosh)

How is Rymer Liriano doing in his recovery/rehab from TJ surgery?(Kingpin from Grinnell, IA)

As far as I've heard, he's ready to go full speed this spring. He was playing a little bit in winter ball so everything looks good to go. The road back from TJ for a position player isn't nearly as arduous. (Jeff Moore)

Rymer Liriano - what's up with him for this year? Is he gonna bounce back from his lost year? (Jacob from Washington DC)

Interesting guy because he was a very tools based player - who still managed to produce (albeit usually in his second go-round at a level. The lost development time is big mark against him, but I don't think he was far from contributing before and while he might be delayed a bit, I still like him as an asset going forward. (Craig Goldstein)

Is Rymer Liriano going to get an opportunity to make the Padres next spring if healthy?(Shawnykid23 from CT)

Hard to see that as a possibility. I saw an update from MLB.com's Corey Brock a couple days ago that said Liriano wouldn't be back this season but might get some time in winterball. Either way, that's a long time off, and he's only played ~50 games in Double-A. If all goes well, he could be up at some point in the second half next season, but a lot needs to happen before we reach that point. (Jason Cole)

What are your thoughts on Z Borenstein R Liriano and C Owings? thanks(Andy from WI)

Hi Andy:

Great numbers on Borenstein, but we're talking about a 23 year old in High-A ball. The numbers will get him to carry his clubs to the next course, but I'll be skeptical about a guy like this until he does it in the Majors. He's only a play in leagues with really deep reserve lists/farm systems.

Rymer Liriano? Great tools, but he's out for all of 2013, and from what I've heard he's not the kind of player a layoff helps out. 23 years old is not a good age to be trying to translate tools into skills.

Chris Owings has put up some silly numbers in the PCL but then it's a silly hitters' environment he's playing in. I'd like to see more plate discipline; I think MLB pitchers are going to expose him in this first go 'round; a sub 5% BB rate isn't a good indicator. You can't ignore the power/speed combo in fantasy though, and I've had concerns like this about other players where I've been dead wrong. (Mike Gianella)

For those who haven't seen, Padres prospect Rymer Liriano will haveTJS and will miss 6 months. Delmon Young to have micro-fracture surgery on ankle, will start season on DL. No wuestion, just sharing the news.(AK from Phoenix)

Sucks with Liriano as he is one of my favorite prospects. Delmon Young is addition by subtraction for the Phillies. Now, I wonder if they'll coax Darren Daulton out of retirement to block Domonic Brown even further. (Jason Collette)

Best chat ever! Gut feel, does Rymer Liriano breakout in 2013?(Short Shorts from By the water)

He might be a prospect that belongs in a crockpot and not in a microwave. He is loaded with tools, but still trying to put those tools into a productie baseball form. It might not explode in '13, but when the dish is done, it should be tasty just the same. (Jason Parks)

Does Rymer Liriano have plus raw power? Ive heard he's a batting practice hero but it hasnt really showed up in his numbers at this point.(Dave from CA)

Sure. Easy 6 raw power, but it doesn't play at 6 in game action yet. That's the thing about power potential that people often forget or overlook. Power flows from the hit tool, which makes sense because you have to make contact with the ball in order to drive the ball. A hitter can gave monster raw strength and put on massive BP shows that make scouts cry and swoon over the glory they just witnessed. But if you can't hit in game action, or can't produce bat speed without selling out, or can't generate the necessary loft and backspin against live pitching, you can have all the raw power potential in the world and it wont mean shit. Power potential and where power plays are two different animals. At this stage of the game, Liriano's power is all about the potential. (Jason Parks)

Are my Padres ever going to make a run again, or was 2010 the closest we're going to get? What does the future of the Padres organization look like, what is the state of our minor league system?(I aint Quentin from Beutiful San Diego)

The Padres have one of the deepest farm systems in baseball, and the key is whether that depth can overcome the lack of starpower. We've started to see some of the pieces of a future Padres contender already, with Yasmani Grandal and Yonder Alonso, and on the offensive side, Rymer Liriano should be coming sometime in 2013. Getting Joe Wieland and Robbie Erlin from the Rangers for Mike Adams at last year's deadline was a very nice move, and the Padres should be able to acquire more talent this July for Street. (Daniel Rathman)

Bradley, Bogaerts, Liriano. Walker is the wildcard for me because he could be the very good version of Edwin Jackson we saw a few years ago or the one that has been around most other seasons. (Jason Collette)

Rymer Liriano. ETA? Chances of living up to potential?(jadams84 from Diego Town)

This is really a question best asked of Kevin Goldstein, but not surprisingly, I have an opinion. With the caveat that I've not yet seen Liriano in person (I'm looking forward to doing so at Elsinore this year), my guess is that he'll move slowly and arrive in San Diego toward the latter half of 2014. There's a lot of ability, but he's still raw. I like Liriano a great deal, but worry about his thickness and his plate discipline, which is improving but still ain't great. (Geoff Young)

Punting this one to local prospect guru Kevin Goldstein. I will say though that I don't think much of Josh Bell as a prospect, while people are already talking about moving Ryan Zimmerman to 1B to make room for Rendon, so that speaks pretty highly of Rendon. (Cory Schwartz)

Josh Byrnes said the other day that they measured Rymer Liriano's ball-off-the-bat speed and it was comparable to guys like Mike Stanton. Obviously he doesn't have 80 power, but can he hit more than 30 HRs or is his power more line-drive oriented?(Josh from San Clemente)

Exit velocity is one thing, but not the only thing that sends a ball out. Loft and backspin matter as well. I think Liriano will be an 18-20 HR type. (Kevin Goldstein)